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Traditionally, if you wanted to find out the length of a giraffe's tongue, you'd have to hide in a tree with a ready hand and a yardstick. Utah's Hogle Zoo has streamlined the process, however: one of its animal encounters allows guests to feed the long-necked creatures alongside a keeper, who will happily tell you that their purple tongues stretch for 20 inches. The giraffes are just one of more than 800 animals inside the zoo grounds. Spanning 42 acres of verdant hillside property, the exhibits strive to showcase fauna in arenas that mimic their natural habitats.
The polar bear inside Rocky Shores—the zoo's largest exhibit to date—lumbers through a landscape inspired by North America's western coast, with a pool that affords guests underwater views of the bear’s attempts to secure its swim cap. Snow leopards, Siberian lynxes, and amur tigers prowl the Himalayan-inspired scenery of the Asian Highlands. At Elephant Encounter's African Lodge, visitors can touch an elephant skull or a rhino horn before glimpsing the pachyderms in the flesh. Summer shows send eagles and hawks swooping overhead in the Wildlife Theatre. From loping wolves and toothy crocodiles to the sagely gorillas of the Great Apes house, the beasts all benefit from the staff's enrichment efforts, which encourage learning as well as instinctual behaviors.
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Utah's Hogle Zoo demonstrates a commitment to wildlife conservation that extends beyond its gates. Many of its special events contribute funds to preservation programs. For example, the Orange Utahn Art show raises donations for endangered primates, selling original works by both local artists and the zoo's orangutans, who compose colorful paintings. Guests can even get a closer look at imperiled species by saddling up on top of one—the Conservation Carousel arrays 42 hand-carved sculptures of at-risk animals, such as the red panda, the giant panda, and the false panda, which is just a black poodle that rolled in some paint.

Benjamin Allen believes outdoor pursuits can positively influence those in need. This belief has led him all over the continent, building a ropes course for an orphanage in Mexico and setting up two courses for troubled youth at Provo Canyon School, a bit closer to home. Wanting to share his knowledge of nature with the public, he set up a course, CLAS Ropes Course, near Utah Lake nearly 20 years ago. Benjamin and his crew have since erected more than 50 ropes courses around the country, continuing to inspect ropes and train others how to run them.
CLAS Ropes Course continues to grow each year, creating obstacles such as a giant swing that releases passengers 40 feet in the air, a 400-foot zipline that whizzes through forest canopy, and a "leap of faith," where adventure seekers jump from a treetop platform to a trapeze. A log balance beam hung 30 feet above the ground and a 24-foot-tall rock-climbing tower test agility and endurance, and a fleet of 20 canoes lets paddlers navigate a mile and a half of river. Many of these structures play host to team-building activities focused on developing a group's creativity and tolerance for hearing one another sing. Staff members tailor their instruction to families, dating groups, or athletic teams. They often apply their approach to athletes, such as a professional golfer who traveled all the way from Texas hoping to conquer her fear of not qualifying for tournaments. She defeated the log balance beam, departed victorious, and qualified during her next tryout two weeks later.

The best museums in West Jordan hardly compare to the intimate and profound setting of Michaels Arts and Crafts'.
With a sizzling plate of terrific food, this museum boasts among the best eats this side of the city.
With its kid-friendly vibe, this museum is a great spot for families.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

After years of illness that eluded doctors and prescription medicine, Whole Body Cleansing founder Mia Magistro turned to natural, holistic therapies to heal her body. Now, Magistro strives to help her clients to kick-start their own natural healing process through colonics and liver cleanses. Ailing organs may benefit from gentle cleanses that sluice out built-up toxins and swallowed secret documents. Whole Body Cleansing also offers care for arthritis as well as conditions ranging from diabetes to fatigue and insomnia. To set minds and bodies at ease, they ensconce patients in private treatment rooms replete with hardwood floors and pale-blue walls.

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It can be tough to visit dinosaurs and outer space in the same day without a time machine and a rocket ship. But Visit Salt Lake's Connect Pass provides a loophole. It grants access to 13 Utah attractions, encouraging families to explore Salt Lake City and beyond. Those using the Connect Pass can see savings of up to 80% on combined admission costs.
At Clark Planetarium, for example, visitors go far beyond the Great Salt Lake and Earth itself, becoming dwarfed by the cosmos inside the Dome Theatre. The Leonardo Museum brings them back to civilization by merging science and creativity with exhibits such as Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out and a Pixel Playland where kids can manipulate electronic artwork.
Other venues emphasize the beauty and fun found in the natural landscapes of our home planet. Red Butte Garden's 100 acres of local flowers, plants, and trees includes scenic hiking trails, whereas the Utah Olympic Parks lets you choose one of three outdoor adventure courses. And, for those intrigued by animals, Utah's Hogle Zoo presents wildlife that ranges from big cats to sea lions who nuzzle their keepers, similar to the dinosaurs at The Museum of Ancient Life.

Serving a range of tasty food and drink, Union Grill in Ogden will have you thinking about seconds (or thirds).
Low-fat foods are not on the menu at Union Grill, though, so plan to indulge a bit.
Find the perfect vintage to complement your meal — Union Grill offers a fine selection of wines, beers, and beyond.
Parents, bring your kids along to Union Grill, where you'll find a family-friendly menu and ambience.
Union Grill is well-known for being able to seat large parties.
Casual dining at its best, Union Grill customers are free to enjoy themselves in jeans and a T-shirt.
For the tastes of Union Grill from the comfort of your next party, the restaurant also offers catering services.
For those in a rush, the restaurant lets you take your food to go.
At Union Grill, you can park your car in seconds with the nearby street and lot parking options.
Travel by bike to Union Grill and store your bike at a nearby rack.
An average meal at Union Grill will set you back about $30.
At Union Grill, you can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or any other major credit card.

Groupon Guide

Let’s admit it: the segway has an image problem. A line of helmeted tourists zipping around Chicago’s Loop or the National Mall in Washington, DC is always enough to elicit snide remarks from the locals. No matter how fun or practical they may be, segways just aren’t cool. Except that, well, they are. After polling my coworkers and discovering that none of us had so much as set foot on a segway, I decided to sign up for a city segway tour myself. After all, there had to be a reason behind these tours’ enduring popularity. Ten seconds after hopping on a segway, I understood that reason completely.It Takes One Minute to Learn How to Ride a SegwayI signed up for a two-hour tour of downtown Nashville, which began with a 10-minute safety video about how to ride. Our group of about 10 people learned such helpful tips as “Stay off very uneven surfaces” (you’ll fall) and “Don’t try to go down stairs” (you’ll fall). Our cheerful tour guide then hopped on a segway and demonstrated its operating principles: how to move forwards, how to go in reverse, and how to stop. He hopped off and began inviting each of us, one at a time, to try it for ourselves. I was nervous, to say the least; surely I’d be the first person in history to fall in the segway training room. I shouldn’t have worried. Within about a minute, the segway felt like an extension of my legs as I criss-crossed the room, going up wooden ramps, turning, and stopping in front of the group. This was so easy, even a child could do it! (Actually, a child can do it—segway tours are usually for ages 12 and older).Segways are Incredibly ResponsiveA segway operates on a gyroscope, keeping its own balance while keeping you upright, as well. The handles on a segway are just for holding—all of the movement happens when you shift your toes to move forward and your heels to move backward. This machine senses when you’re on, when you’re off, and when you’ve run into something, and it tries to correct your balance at all times. It’s almost like a sentient pair of wheeled robot legs, which can be terrifying or comforting depending on how you think about it.You Get Over the Silliness Pretty QuicklyWhen our little group rolled tentatively out onto the sunny Nashville sidewalk, every single person we passed laughed at us or had something cute to say. Groups of teens yelled after us. An executive joked, “I’m late to a meeting, where’s mine?” An old man on a park bench hollered something cheeky. No one could let us roll along un-kidded. But you know what? Once the first 10 minutes of acute, oh-my-god-everyone’s-laughing embarrassment subsides, you just get over it. Yes, you’re wearing a lime-green helmet and following your guide like a baby duck in line. This is you. This is your life. And guess what? Your life rules.Segways are a Great Way to See the SightsTaking a segway tour is hands-down one of the best ways to see a city’s major downtown attractions. Think about it: you cover a ton of ground without wearing out your feet, and you get to ride with a cooling breeze fluttering your clothes. Better yet, your tour guide will explain everything you’re seeing and give you fun tidbits about the city along the way. Of course, taking a segway tour also proves that you can withstand gentle mocking from complete strangers, and that’s a good skill to have. You’ll step off that segway feeling stronger and even accomplished. Sure, maybe you did nothing but stand on robotic wheels, but sometimes a little risk can go a long way.

Some of the rarest plants you'll see at your local botanical garden or conservatory may also be the most unusual. Some may take an unusually long time to grow; others may have attributes right out of a sci-fi movie. Here’s what you should know about five of the strangest rare plant specimens—and where you can count on seeing them.Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)Also known as the titan arum, this plant gets its name from the stench it gives off when it blooms. This odor is produced as part of the plant’s reproductive cycle; in the wild, the scent attracts carrion beetles, which are hopefully carrying pollen from other corpse flowers. How Often It Blooms: It takes 5–10 years for a corpse flower to bloom—and that’s after the plant has taken around 8 years to grow large enough to support the massive bud. Where It Naturally Grows: The rainforests of western Sumatra. Where You Can See It: The United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC, which houses 15 of the rare plants. Best Chance to See It Bloom: USBG’s last corpse flower bloomed in 2013. They currently have another specimen that’s about the same age and size, and its leaves could start falling off any day. After they do, it will only be a few months before the plant blossoms. Check USBG’s website for a blooming announcement.Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)This plant needs tropical temperatures, high humidity, and an elevated structure (e.g. a tree) so it can grow upwards. When housed in outdoor botanical gardens, the specimen is often arranged upside down in order to attract bats, which can pollinate the flower. How Often It Blooms: As far as slow-blooming plants go, this one’s a speed demon that reliably blooms once a year. However, it’s very rare that the blossom actually produces seeds. When it does, the bean pods come out in the shape of corkscrews. Where It Naturally Grows: The Philippines. Where You Can See It: The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. Best Chance to See It Bloom: The CBG’s single specimen, which arches above a walkway, should bloom in mid-April. Stay updated on its status here.Vanilla Orchid (Vanilla planifolia)The vanilla orchid has the tiniest seeds of any plant species, which contributes to its slow growth rate. Like the jade vine, it needs a tree or some other elevated structure to grow upwards to 30 feet. How Often It Blooms: The plant takes around eight years to mature, then blooms once every spring for only 24 hours. It must then be hand-pollinated within the first 12 hours so it can grow the following year. Where It Naturally Grows: South Florida, Central and South America, Tahiti, and Madagascar. Where You Can See It: The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, FL. Best Chance to See It Bloom: Although the Garden’s International Orchid Festival just passed, some of the four onsite species of vanilla orchid may start to bloom between May and June.Giant Agave (Agave salmiana)A massive succulent, this spindly plant has a circle of leaves that can grow up to 12 feet wide and 6 feet tall. It can also reproduce asexually, often growing several smaller versions of itself. How Often It Blooms: One of the slowest growers on this list, the giant agave only blooms once every 35 years. It makes up for all that lost time by flowering for up to seven months. Where It Naturally Grows: Central and Southern Mexico. Where You Can See It: The San Francisco Botanical Garden in San Francisco, CA. Best Chance to See It Bloom: SFBG has been fortunate enough to average one flowering giant agave per year, which you can see throughout the summer months.Century Plant (Agave Americana)“Century plant” is a bit of a misnomer—it takes around 30 years for this beauty to reach blooming size. It uses all this time to store energy, which then gives life to a 30-foot stalk that resembles a giant asparagus and produces hundreds of golden blooms. How Often It Blooms: After its 30 years of maturing, the plant flowers every few years, then less frequently until its death. Where It Naturally Grows: Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Where You Can See It: The New York Botanical Garden in New York City, NY. Best Chance to See It Bloom: You can see some smaller species in the desert galleries right now. However, the largest specimen last bloomed here 10 years ago, and it’s unclear when it will bloom again. Photos: Corpse flower courtesy of US Botanic Garden. Jade vine courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden. Vanilla orchid courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Agave ferox (variety of Agave salmiana) at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Century plant courtesy of New York Botanical Garden.

If you’re an avid museum-goer intent on seeing every last sarcophagus and decommissioned spaceship America has to offer, those admission costs can add up quickly. But getting a regular dose of culture doesn’t have to be such a strain on your wallet. Some of the country’s best (and weirdest) museums are 100% free, 365 days a year. Check out our list of the country’s top free museums to see where you can learn about everything from fine art to fake vomit, all without spending a penny.Smithsonian Air and Space Museum | Washington, D.C.The Smithsonian only houses the foremost collections of historic airplanes and spacecraft in the world. Here, you’ll find at least one landmark craft from every era in the history of flight, from Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, which flew reconnaissance missions during the Cold War. There’s even a collection of lunar vehicles from the Apollo missions.The Museum | New York City, NYEver wanted to see a carefully curated collection of fake vomit? What about toothpaste tubes from around the world? If you’re a normal, sane person, the answer is probably “No,” but sometimes we don’t know a great thing until we see it. Case in point: The Museum in New York, one of the world’s smallest (and certainly one of its strangest) museums. The collection here is constantly changing, but the crown jewel—the shoe thrown at President George W. Bush in 2008—is always on display.Art Car Museum | Houston, TXWho knew cars could be transformed into actual works of art? The vehicles on display at Art Car Museum aren’t your typical restored beauties, but they have their own charms. Instead of hot rods, you’ll find bicycles made of bones, bejeweled drag racers, and even a Ram truck molded to look like a monster—with the driver’s seat right in the beast’s mouth.The J. Paul Getty Museum | Los Angeles, CAThe Getty is both a cultural and a physical landmark, clearly visible from its perch above Interstate 405’s Sepulveda Pass. Visitors here can explore celebrated artworks hailing from both sides of the Atlantic and dating back to Antiquity. The collection includes works by Impressionist masters, unmistakable paintings by Jackson Pollock, and even studies by Leonardo da Vinci.The National Museum of the American Indian | New York City, NYDedicated to the diversity of the Native American nations spread across North, Central, and South America, The National Museum of the American Indian hosts rotating and touring exhibits throughout the year. Artifacts run the gamut from headdresses to intricate jewelry, and one ongoing exhibition features a study of traditional dances.Photos: Museum of the American Indian, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. | Spirit of St. Louis courtesy of Smithsonian Air and Space Museum | Shoe thrown at President George W. Bush, 2008. Courtesy of The Museum. | Fuente, Larry. Derby Racer. 1975. Mixed Media: Metal, Glass, Mirrors, and Plastics. Courtesy of Art Car Museum | Getty gallery with girl, courtesy of The Getty’s Facebook page. | Yupik dance outfit, Circle of Dance exhibit. Courtesy of The National Museum of the American Indian.Discover more museums:The Top Five US Museum Exhibits to Add to Your Bucket ListField Museums's Urban Anthropology Collection Spotlights Everyday Items